exalt

This word carries a heavy sense of verticality and elevation. It is not merely about liking something, but about lifting it above all other things to a pedestal of supreme importance or holiness. It is most frequently encountered in religious, royal, or highly formal contexts where the gap between the subject and the object is vast. While "praise" is a general term for approval, "exalt" implies a transformative elevation of status. To exalt someone is to change their perceived standing in the eyes of others, turning a common person into an icon or a deity.